Xie Wei hadn’t actually summoned her to examine her studies. After first asking about the bank notes and then testing how well she played the qin, Jianshu hurriedly came in from outside to report: “The Three Judicial Offices are convening a joint trial, and His Majesty requests your presence.”

Xie Wei paused for a moment, then said: “I’ll go at once.”

What case now required a joint trial by the Three Judicial Offices?

Jiang Xuening understood immediately, and her expression showed some bewilderment. She no longer had the energy to argue with Xie Wei about those fifty thousand taels.

Xie Wei went to the Ministry of Justice, while Jiang Xuening headed back to the residence.

Throughout the journey, her mood remained somewhat low.

What she hadn’t expected was that when the carriage stopped near the residence gates and she had just lifted the curtain to poke her head out, she heard a laugh from outside: “I thought today would be unfortunate—I specifically snuck out of the palace to find you, only to arrive when you weren’t home. But I didn’t expect to wait long before you returned.”

The voice was clear and crisp, quite pleasant to hear.

Jiang Xuening was extremely familiar with it.

Almost the instant she heard it, her eyes lit up. She looked toward the source of the voice and immediately called out in delighted surprise: “Your Highness Grand Princess!”

Standing at the entrance with hands clasped behind her back was none other than Shen Zhiyi.

Today she wore a water-blue riding outfit with the fabric cinched tight at the waist and wrists. She stood before a beautiful jujube-red steed, her cloud-black hair tied up and braided. Between her slender, fair fingers, she twirled a riding crop.

Her face wore a smile, utterly radiant.

Though there was a scar below the corner of her eye, at this moment it paradoxically diminished the softness carried by her delicate features and added an unprecedented spirited vigor.

Jiang Xuening had never seen her dressed this way. At first sight, she was stunned, then revealed undisguised amazement. She jumped down from the carriage and went to Shen Zhiyi’s side, saying happily: “Your Highness looks truly beautiful like this.”

Not having seen her for over a month, Shen Zhiyi seemed to have undergone some changes.

The petulant willfulness that had been on her face had settled down, replaced by the quiet steadiness befitting an imperial princess, yet her features also seemed to carry a frost-like coldness, making her appear even more noble.

Hearing Jiang Xuening say this, she smiled.

She only said: “Where did you go? Why are you only returning now?”

Jiang Xuening then recalled her ordeal at Xie Wei’s residence, and couldn’t help but lodge a complaint against him before Shen Zhiyi, saying: “Though the palace issued an edict temporarily releasing us from the palace, Your Highness shouldn’t think we’re free from studies. Look—Mr. Xie sent someone today to haul me over to examine my studies. I nearly didn’t make it back alive.”

As she spoke, she stuck out her tongue.

Shen Zhiyi only took this as exaggeration. Hearing this, she smiled, then fell silent for a moment before saying: “Though Mr. Xie is strict with you, it also shows he regards you as exceptionally different. You should treat him well. You should know that even at court, not many people can gain such favor from him.”

Jiang Xuening was startled: “Why does it feel strange when you say this?”

Shen Zhiyi didn’t explain further, only having the sole guard who had accompanied her out today hand another riding crop to Jiang Xuening, saying: “Today I came out of the palace specifically to find you for fun. I haven’t been able to leave the palace and look around for many years. Whatever you and Yan Lin used to do for fun, take me along too.”

Jiang Xuening stared blankly at the riding crop: “But I don’t know how to ride horses.”

Shen Zhiyi said: “Then just sit on the horse and accompany me for a walk.”

Jiang Xuening thought this wasn’t too difficult, so with the help of a nearby guard she inelegantly clambered onto the horse, clutching the reins somewhat nervously, and went onto the streets together with Shen Zhiyi.

The weather in the capital had already turned cold, so there weren’t as many people about.

However, two such striking women actually riding horses through the market streets undoubtedly attracted numerous gazes.

Jiang Xuening was very familiar with the capital’s streets and alleys, so she pointed to the shops and towers on both sides and described them to her. Soon they arrived at the western district marketplace, then she suddenly remembered and asked: “These past days, Your Highness in the palace…”

Shen Zhiyi said: “It’s been alright. After all, I’m the Emperor’s sister—who would dare make things difficult for me?”

Jiang Xuening therefore didn’t dare ask more.

Speaking of which, according to the timeline from her previous life, even without that letter appearing, the case of the Yongyi Marquis Estate should have reached a conclusion by now, shouldn’t it?

In this life she had done everything she could, but she didn’t know what the final result would be.

The two rode their horses near a certain street when they heard the lively sound of drums and music ahead.

Everyone was crowding on both sides of the road to watch the excitement.

Shen Zhiyi grew curious: “What’s happening up ahead?”

Jiang Xuening looked at the direction of this road and found it somewhat familiar. Like a flash of lightning through her mind, she immediately slapped her own forehead and exclaimed: “Oh no, I forgot—Fangyin is getting married today!”

With the events of these past two days being too heavy and intense, her full attention had been focused on them. This morning she had been summoned away by people from Xie Wei’s side—where would she have had time to remember that people sent by Ren Weizhi from Shu to fetch the bride had arrived, and You Fangyin’s wedding was naturally today.

Shen Zhiyi seemed to have heard this name before and said: “That concubine-born daughter from the Earl’s estate?”

Jiang Xuening was somewhat surprised that she knew, but didn’t think deeply about it. She only said: “I need to go see her off. Will Your Highness come with me?”

Shen Zhiyi said: “Then let’s go have a look.”

She had heard that this You Fangyin had received life-saving grace from Ningning. That day at the Qingyuan Earl Estate’s Double Ninth Festival banquet, though Shen Zhiyi had arrived somewhat late, she had also heard about this matter and was rather curious about what kind of person this concubine-born daughter Fangyin was.

So she grasped the reins and followed behind Jiang Xuening.

However, they weren’t going to the Qingyuan Earl Estate, but directly left the city, waiting outside near a tea stall set up by the roadside.

Whether leaving or entering the capital, one had to pass along this official road.

There were many travelers coming and going.

Some merchants were resting at the tea stall.

The tea-serving woman in plain hairpin and cloth skirt, carrying a teapot with a smile covering her face, walked between table and table, adding tea for the customers.

As soon as Jiang Xuening and Shen Zhiyi’s horses arrived, this woman enthusiastically called out, asking them: “Would you two young ladies like to dismount and rest while having some tea?”

Jiang Xuening said: “We’ll just stay here.”

Shen Zhiyi then flicked the reins, dismounted with a flip, tied the horse to the side, and entered the tea shelter first. However, lowering her head to see the long bench blackened and greasy all over, she found it somewhat difficult to sit down.

The tea-serving woman, seeing their fine dress, knew they were either wealthy or noble. She quickly came forward with a cloth to vigorously wipe that long bench. However, this bench had been sat upon for years, and no matter how much she wiped, it couldn’t get much better. This made her somewhat embarrassed, and she smiled rather awkwardly, saying: “The small shop is humble—I’m afraid we’ve made you two young ladies laugh.”

This woman’s smile was truly simple and honest.

When she smiled, there was even some shyness.

Shen Zhiyi had never before encountered such people. She was startled for a moment before saying: “No matter.”

The woman placed two tea bowls on the table, added tea for them, and said: “Seeing as you two are waiting for someone here, the tea is crude, so you’ll just have to make do.”

Jiang Xuening sat down, picked up a bowl and took a sip, smiling as she said: “It’s quite good.”

The woman hadn’t quite expected this delicate-looking young lady to be so unconcerned about such things. She was momentarily stunned before walking away with the teapot.

Having such two young ladies arrive at this simple tea stall inevitably drew the attention of those around.

But this was after all outside the capital city—who didn’t know this was at the foot of the Son of Heaven?

One could easily guess these two young ladies were not simple in status, and even the two horses tied outside were extraordinary. No one dared approach to make conversation, much less harbor any evil intentions.

“Doing business traveling north and south these days isn’t easy. As soon as winter comes, the borders get very chaotic. I don’t know why the court isn’t even sending troops this year either, making it so I can’t do business and have to return early for the New Year. Alas, when my wife finds out, she’ll scold me again!”

“You still don’t know? Something happened in the capital…”

“Yes, it’s the Yongyi Marquis.”

“It’s not all that bad. There are many paths in this world—if northern business is difficult, turn south. There’s no harassment from foreign tribes, and the products are abundant. Making a trip there can earn quite a bit of money. We pay so many taxes, and the court does do some work. Look at these official roads connecting north and south, spanning east and west—it takes only a few days to reach Shu, at most it’s a bit difficult when climbing mountains there, but it’s much more convenient than in the past. Making one trip, horses and carts aren’t as exhausted as before, and you can save quite a bit of money.”

“Ai yo, speaking of Shu…”

…

The merchants all traveled extensively, and soon they were chatting away. Occasionally there were children brought by couples crying and playing around, which made the small shop particularly lively.

Jiang Xuening heard them discussing the court and instinctively glanced at Shen Zhiyi.

But Shen Zhiyi’s gaze fell on the crude tea before her.

Her fingers rested on the rough edge of the tea bowl. After a very long time, she finally picked it up. Jiang Xuening was alarmed and about to speak, but before she could say anything, Shen Zhiyi had already gently taken a small sip.

The tea at these roadside rest stop stalls was all brewed from the broken scraps left over from premium tea leaves—bland with astringency, the aftertaste lacking any sweetness, instead carrying a faint bitter flavor.

It truly couldn’t even qualify as “making do.”

Shen Zhiyi’s expression was somewhat dazed.

Jiang Xuening gazed at her, and only at this moment dared to be certain: Shen Zhiyi had come out with something on her mind. All along the way she seemed to be thinking about something, even when she had first seen her she hadn’t let go of it.

But at this moment, she didn’t dare probe deeply.

Just as she was pondering this in secret, some dust was kicked up on the nearby road. Several horses were escorting a carriage over, with a bright red silk ribbon tied to the horse’s head—clearly indicating a joyous occasion.

Such were the customs for marrying far away.

The husband’s family sent people to fetch the bride, while the natal family followed along with people and gifts, escorting their daughter all the way to the husband’s home.

The sturdy man who had gone to the Shuxiang Inn yesterday to deliver news looked at the tea shelter ahead, hesitated, and was just about to ask inside the carriage whether they should stop so everyone could drink some water before continuing.

Unexpectedly, someone from the tea shelter called out: “Fangyin!”

To reach Shu would take quite some distance. At their pace, it would likely take half a month to arrive, so You Fangyin hadn’t even worn her wedding dress today—she only wore brightly colored clothing with flowers pinned in her hair.

When she had just left the estate, she had felt somewhat dejected.

But upon hearing this call, she was suddenly overjoyed and immediately said to Han Shishan: “Stop right here!”

You Fangyin got out of the carriage.

Jiang Xuening emerged from the tea shelter, with Shen Zhiyi following behind her, also walking this way.

Han Shishan was the new guard Ren Weizhi had hired—highly skilled in martial arts, he would escort You Fangyin to Shu along the way. Seeing two beautiful young ladies walking toward them at this moment, he couldn’t help but stare blankly, somewhat at a loss.

But You Fangyin’s eyes immediately welled up with tears: “I thought Miss wouldn’t come to see me off.”

Jiang Xuening exclaimed “Ah!” and said: “How could that be—it’s such a wonderful day for marriage. You’ve put on makeup, and if you cry and ruin it, no one will touch it up for you. Aren’t I here now?”

Shen Zhiyi stood to the side, looking at You Fangyin, then at the people behind her who were escorting her to Shu.

So she asked: “Where is she marrying to?”

Only then did You Fangyin notice there was another person beside Jiang Xuening. Lifting her eyes, she first noticed her appearance, then noticed the scar below the corner of her eye, becoming somewhat curious. But with a stranger present, she suddenly felt a bit timid.

Jiang Xuening then said: “This is Grand Princess Leyang. She takes very good care of me in the palace.”

Upon hearing “Grand Princess Leyang,” You Fangyin was startled.

But then hearing that she took care of Jiang Xuening in the palace, her expression showed gratitude and intimacy, as if the one being cared for was not Jiang Xuening but herself.

She hurriedly bowed in salute: “I pay my respects to Your Highness Grand Princess.”

Everyone around, including Han Shishan among the escort party, was startled. They had originally thought the future mistress they were fetching was merely a concubine-born daughter from an earl’s estate. How could they have expected that among those coming to see her off there would actually be a princess? They couldn’t help but feel some fear, while also looking at You Fangyin with new eyes, secretly thinking the future mistress was someone capable—they absolutely couldn’t underestimate her based on appearances alone.

Shen Zhiyi said coolly: “No need for such formality.”

Only then did You Fangyin answer somewhat nervously: “I’m marrying to Shu. Since I was born, I’ve never been to such a distant place. I heard the mountains are high and the roads far, which is why so many people were sent to fetch me. There’s also this Shu Road—it’s supposed to be so high and treacherous!”

Shen Zhiyi was dazed again for a moment: “That far away…”

“Yes, leaving the capital, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to return.”

You Fangyin nodded, seeming to have some worry and melancholy as well. However, she turned back to look at the magnificent capital covered layer upon layer by winter’s dark clouds behind her, and her delicate brows and eyes relaxed. The worry and melancholy transformed into ease and anticipation.

“But going to a very, very distant place—it’s fine not to return.”

For her, in this capital city, aside from Second Miss, there weren’t any people or matters worth lingering attachment to.

Leaving was leaving.

Even if one day she returned, it would certainly be to return for Jiang Xuening’s sake.

She didn’t have much reluctance about leaving her homeland. Instead, she was filled with fervent anticipation for the completely new life about to come. From inside to outside, as if reborn anew, she emanated a kind of bright and clear radiance.

The grayish sky pressed low over the earth. Withered trees layered shadows upon the distant mountains. Occasionally one could glimpse the shadow of a winter crow sweeping across the high sky, avoiding toward the forest.

The wild geese had long since flown south.

On the ground was an endless expanse of withered grass, yet when next year’s spring wind blew, the entire mountain would turn green.

Shen Zhiyi’s gaze also followed this endless withered grass far away, reaching toward that gloomy, oppressive sky, as if pursuing that vanished shadow of the winter crow, with no place to return.

Leaving the capital, marrying far away to Shu.

She smiled softly, yet her features seemed shrouded in an indescribable desolate melancholy as she said: “Going far away isn’t bad. I truly envy you—leaving here means freedom.”

“…”

Jiang Xuening finally knew where that earlier sense of wrongness came from.

In the previous life, when did Shen Zhiyi go to the foreign lands for a marriage alliance?

It was shortly after the new year.

She had originally thought there were still several months, but could it be that Shen Zhiyi already knew something now?

In the distance, the sound of horse hooves came in waves.

A squad of Imperial Guards actually came galloping swiftly from the direction of the capital, arriving all the way to their vicinity. The leader, seeing Shen Zhiyi, finally felt relieved. Rather panicked, he dismounted and bowed to her: “I pay respects to Your Highness Grand Princess. The Empress Dowager and His Majesty learned you had left the city and were somewhat worried, so they specifically commanded this humble officer to come protect your safety.”

Shen Zhiyi’s expression showed several degrees more listlessness.

She had known all along—though they agreed to let her leave the palace to clear her mind, it wouldn’t be for very long.

So she laughed once and said to Jiang Xuening: “I’m returning to the palace.”

Jiang Xuening’s heart suddenly tightened. In that instant, she actually felt infinite sadness. Not knowing where the courage came from, she actually grabbed a corner of Shen Zhiyi’s garment and suddenly couldn’t restrain that impulse, asking her: “Does Your Highness also not wish to stay in the palace?”

Shen Zhiyi’s steps paused. She turned to look at her, silent for a moment, before smiling faintly and saying: “Who would want to?”

But it seemed there was nothing else she could say beyond that.

In this world, there were people whose lives were not their own to control.

She turned directly and remounted her horse. Without regard for the Imperial Guards who had been commanded to protect her safety, she galloped her horse directly toward the capital, leaving everyone behind.

Jiang Xuening stood in place, watching her figure disappear on the official road from afar, obscured by the dark canopy of the sky. For a long time, she didn’t move.

On this day, she saw off You Fangyin.

On this day, the Tartar envoys seeking a marriage alliance entered the capital and had an audience with the Emperor.

Also on this day, she led the two horses back to the Jiang estate alone, only to be summoned by Jiang Boyou, who said: “The Three Judicial Offices’ joint trial has determined the case. The Yongyi Marquis Estate colluded with the traitor party of Prince Pingnan and harbored disloyal intentions. However, considering that this clan once rendered meritorious service to the state, His Majesty couldn’t bear to execute them, so he specially pardoned the three clans from the death penalty. Family wealth is confiscated for the public treasury, titles are stripped and they are reduced to commoners. Only the main Yan clan will receive thirty lashes of the rod and be exiled to Huangzhou, not permitted to leave without imperial edict. Alas, the imperial decree has already been issued—this can be considered extremely fortunate amidst misfortune!”